The concept of virtual reality, or VR, isn’t exactly new to most of us. For decades, VR has been discussed in sci-fi literature and featured in movies. But while we’ve been familiar with VR as a concept, the actual VR technology has only become widely accessible over the last several years.
In the beginning of VR, the market was only populated by a few virtual reality headsets. Today, the story is much different. It almost seems like every couple of months, a new groundbreaking and more immersing model is announced. As a result of that, if you spend some time browsing the VR headset market today - you’ll come across a ton of different and great VR headsets that can truly immerse you into a different reality.
For example, Facebook, which recently changed its name to Meta, is announcing its own VR headset pretty soon. Apple is another company rumored to be developing some form of VR headset for its consumers. And this doesn’t even include the various models already on the market like the Oculus Quest 2 and the HTC Vive Pro.
With all this variety in the market, finding a VR headset that actually fits your needs and preferences can be hard. In fact, with all the different features present on modern VR headsets, it’s very easy to get overwhelmed by all the options.
And that’s why we’re writing this VR headset review guide for you.
In this guide, we’re going to be taking a look at some of the best VR headsets in 2022. Not only that, we’ll also talk to you about a couple of things you should consider before spending your hard-earned money on a VR headset. But before we do any of that, let’s take a look at what a VR headset is and what types of headsets are currently available on the market.
What Is a VR Headset?
Before we get into the nitty-gritty and list down the best models on the market, it’s important to understand what a VR headset is and what it isn’t. That way, you enter the market with much more realistic expectations when it comes to what a VR headset can actually do for you.
A “Virtual Reality Headset”, or a VR headset, is a device that you wear on your head. The device completely covers your eyes to give you a fully immersive virtual reality experience. Inside the headset is a display, and with the right model, wearing the VR headset will quite literally trick your brain into thinking you’re in a completely different world.
These headsets are equipped with advanced motion tracking technology that allows the images to adjust according to where you move your head. While VR headset can be used for a number of things - such as reviewing a mockup interior design for your brand new apartment, VR is primarily used by gamers.
When wearing a VR headset, you can ready yourself for an immersive gaming experience where you actually get to experience the virtual world as if you were there yourself.
With that said, the best VR headsets aren’t just for consoles like the PlayStation and Xbox. You can connect certain VR headsets to phones, computers, laptops, and other devices.
One reason VR headsets are skyrocketing in popularity is because VR technology has come a very long way. In the past, VR was clunky, expensive, and didn’t exactly offer the best experience. On top of that, there weren’t that many games or devices compatible with VR, which made them even more inaccessible.
But things are much different now. Aside from the various consoles and devices that support VR headsets, tons of VR games have also become available for VR gamers. And the best thing about VR headsets for gamers is that they are not limited to a certain genre of games. You can easily come across VR horror, casual, adventure, and even sports games.
Types of VR Headsets
There are many different types of VR headsets available on the market today. As a result of that, it’s important for you to know what they are and how to identify them. This way, you can buy the product that best suits your needs.
If you buy a VR headset that isn’t the right type for your console or your needs, you might feel fairly disappointed. But don’t worry; understanding the types of VR headsets is a tough task for a lot of people, even those who have used these devices before.
So, to help you out, let’s take a quick look at some of the types of VR headsets you might find on the market today.
Standalone VR Headsets
These are also called all-in-one VR headsets as they don’t require any external device to play games and get your VR experience started. When you buy a stand-alone VR headset, the entire device is wireless and designed to be used right away.
The biggest advantage of this VR headset is that it’s convenient. If you’re a person who wants to play VR games when traveling, visiting a friend, or just in another room of the house, a standalone headset is a great option for you. Since you don’t need to connect it to any other external device whatsoever, all you have to do is put it on and start playing.
A great example of a standalone VR headset is the Oculus Quest 2. Despite that, if you really wanted to - you can still connect it to gaming PCs or consoles.
With that said, there is a downside to this type of VR headsets. The thing about standalone VR headsets is that they are pretty limited. Since they aren’t connected to a dedicated console, you may not be able to play the same games and experience the same graphics as you would with VR headsets connected to a PC or console.
PC VR Headset
As you can probably tell by the name, these headsets need to stay connected to a computer. So, these aren’t the best options for portability since you always need to bring a computer with you. Additionally, the types of computers compatible with these VR headsets usually have higher specs, which means you might have to spend more overall for these types of devices.
With that said, if you’re looking for one of the most immersive gaming experiences, then you can’t skip over a computer VR headset. For example, the Valve Index headset and the HTC Vive Pro 2 headset are known as some of the best VR headsets for computers on the market. And when you pair them with the right game, you get an immersive experience that you’ve likely never had before.
The details in the graphics, smooth gameplay, and other features of a PC VR headset are hard to find with other models. Again, you will lose a bit of convenience by going for these types of headsets, but rest assured that the investment will be more than worth it if you’re looking for a superior VR gaming experience.
Console VR Headset
These VR headsets are the ones that are specifically designed for gaming consoles. Usually, these devices are specific to one type of console, such as a PlayStation or Xbox. These headsets work similarly to computer VR headsets and are a great option if you want the same high graphic quality without booting up your computer.
The technology behind console VR headsets is not yet on the same level as PC VR headsets, as PCs have a naturally stronger capacity than consoles, especially since you can always upgrade a PC to meet the needs of the games you want to play. But with that said, if you’re looking for a great console VR experience, then the best option is the Sony PlayStation VR.
Granted, you will have to use a PlayStation with this headset, but it’s great for those who already own one and want to try out the VR experience. One of the biggest advantages of these types of headsets is the wide selection of video games available.
For example, with the PlayStation VR, you get to experience classic Sony titles like Resident Evil through virtual reality.
Smartphone VR
If you’re new to the world of VR and just want to test it out without busting the bank, a mobile VR headset is by far the best choice. Smartphone VR headsets are the simplest VR devices, most affordable, and arguably one of the best introductions to the world of virtual reality gaming and media.
The thing about these devices is that they usually don’t have their own display or active cooling system. To use these headsets, you slide your phone into a preallocated slot, and the phone serves as the display. You won’t be able to access a bunch of VR games and titles like on other headsets, but you do get to try out the world of VR gaming without spending a fortune.
Things to Consider Before Buying a VR Headset
Aside from the type of VR headset you want to buy, there are tons of other features available in modern VR headsets that can make picking your perfect device an even more challenging process. So, in this section, we’re going to quickly go over some of the different features you would want to consider before buying a VR headset.
Display
The first thing you need to consider when buying a VR headset is the display. Generally, all VR headsets work towards the same goal: immersing the user in a new reality. However, these headsets accomplish this goal through different methods. If you’re buying a smartphone VR set, then you don’t need to worry too much about the display. In this context, it would be more important to check out the display of your phone. If your phone has a decent display, then it can handle VR. But if you feel like the display of your phone is lacking, then you might want to consider upgrading or getting a standalone VR headset. But if you aren’t planning on buying a smartphone VR headset, then you might have to pay much closer attention to the display that it uses. Generally, VR headsets use one of the following displays:
- LED
- OLED
- AMOLED
- LCD
LCDs are one of the most popular types of VR displays. This is because the technology allows them to display at frame rates of around 90 FPS, which allows for very smooth gameplay. However, the downside is that you get slightly washed-out colors and unevenly lit panels, which can be a major issue for some people.
If you want the highest-quality images and accurate colors, we recommend going for LED varieties such as OLED and AMOLED. Both of these technologies are known for producing very bright and vibrant colors with incredibly deep blacks. Again, you might have to refer back to your own preferences when figuring out the type of display you want but you now at least know what the different display types are good for.
Connectivity
Generally, virtual reality headsets need to connect to an external device. Of course, this won't matter as much if you're looking to get the best standalone VR headset. But since most people get VR headsets to use with their current gaming devices, it’s very important to consider how the device connects to your console or PC.
Ideally, you would want a device with a smooth and fast connection. However, you don’t want a connection that limits your range of movement. This is why you need to find a VR headset with a reliable wireless connection with a long battery life.
While wired connections are reliable and can produce very smooth gameplay, the downside is that you won’t be able to move as much when wearing the headset. And if you pull or tug too hard when wearing it, you risk knocking down the other devices or interrupting the connection between the devices.
With that said, if you opt for a wireless headset, you need to make sure they can produce a strong and reliable connection. The last thing you would want is the device to suddenly disconnect in the middle of the game and completely ruin your flow and rhythm.
Resolution
When it comes to VR headset resolution, we are referring to resolution per eye. Remember, the goal of modern VR headsets is to allow you to play games like never before - in a fully immersive and digital world. So, whether you’re a console or PC gaming, finding a VR headset that offers a high resolution on each eye is important.
Ideally, you want to get VR headsets that can produce 1,700 x 1,440 px - 1,832 x 1920 px per eye. This will allow you to view everything clearly and get very high-resolution images. Your immersive VR experience is only complete once you wear a headset that can provide high-resolution images, so this is a feature you shouldn’t just gloss over.
Field of View
Simply put, the field of view refers to how much of the digital environment you can see at any given moment. If you’re looking to go through the most immersive and best VR headset experience, we recommend going for options with a wider field of view. At the very least, the VR headset should be able to provide you with at least 100-110 degrees. Anything less than that may not be able to provide you with the experience you’re looking for, especially when pairing the headset with a powerful gaming PC.
Panel Type
When you research the different VR headsets on the market, you’re likely going to find the type of panel they use. You might find that the most common type of panel on VR headsets are TN panels, which are fast and produce very decent images. These are commonly paired with LCD displays, which is important to remember.
With that said, TN panels don’t offer the best resolution and color accuracy. If you want even more vibrant colors and deeper blacks, we recommend going for an IPS panel instead. Most experts will automatically point to these panels as being the most reliable for immersive VR experiences, which is why we recommend them as well.
Tracking Support
The way VR works is by tracking your movements and adjusting the images accordingly. So, if you want to get the most out of your VR headset, you need to go for options that have the best tracking support and motion tracking systems available.
Even the slightest lags when processing your position can ruin the entire gameplay experience. So, we highly recommend paying close attention to the tracking system of your VR headset and reading other users’ experiences on whether the systems are fast and accurate.
Best VR Headsets in 2022
Now that we’ve covered the basics, it’s time to take a closer look at some of the best VR headsets currently available on the market - kicking off our list with Facebook’s Meta Quest 2.
Meta Quest 2
The Meta Quest 2, which was also known as Oculus Quest 2 until Facebook rebranded as Meta still boasts all the features that made the original Oculus Quest 2 popular in the first place.
The first thing we have to mention is that the Meta Quest 2 is cheaper than the original Oculus Quest upon launch. This makes it a much more accessible VR headset ideal for just about any type of gamer. On top of that, it has a bunch of advanced features that can easily beat out the original version of this headset.
To start, this VR device has an LCD display with an 1832 x 1920 px resolution per eye. So, you can rest assured that both of your eyes will be receiving high-quality images during gameplay for an immersive experience. The quality of the image is much more clear than other entry-level VR headsets within this price range, which is why we believe it deserves to be first on our list.
Additionally, we believe this product by Meta is the best standalone VR headset - at least within its price range. We think this because it runs on a Snapdragon XR2 System-on-Chip (SoC) and has 6GB of RAM, which far excels the specs of most VR alternatives at this price point.
You can even use this headset with the Oculus Link feature. This allows you to connect the headset to a console or PC and use it with any Oculus Rift-compatible games. This makes it more than just your typical standalone headset and is another reason why this VR device is a fantastic overall virtual reality headset.
Sony PlayStation VR
If you’re already a PlayStation owner looking to explore the VR space, the Sony PlayStation VR is the best VR headset for you. The Sony PlayStation VR is specifically designed for PS games, giving you access to many titles including Blood & Truth, Tetris Effect, Iron Man, Hitman 3, and more.
With that said, keep in mind that the PlayStation VR system only works with the PlayStation. So, if you plan on hooking it up to a computer or another console, it won’t work.
What we particularly liked about this VR headset is that it allows console gamers to experience new realities thanks to its custom OLED screen, which is capable of running at 120 FPS - allowing for smooth gameplay and complete immersion in your games.
On top of that, the Sony PS VR has a built-in microphone and fantastic 3D audio, which will be of great help to keep the communication going when playing with friends and family.
Valve Index
When researching the best VR headsets available, we found the Valve Index to be one of the most interesting models available on the market today. To start, it uses pretty futuristic, pressure-sensitive controllers with finger tracking capabilities. This allows for a brand-new VR experience that most PC gamers are yet to experience.
Of course, since this is a pretty advanced and futuristic model, it’s fairly expensive compared to the rest. As a result - it’s not the best choice out there if you’re on a budget. But if you’re looking to invest in a top-tier VR headset that you can use for PC gaming, you can’t go wrong with the Valve Index.
As for the screens - this VR device uses two 1440x1600 LCD IPS displays, which can operate at 80 Hz, 90 Hz, 120 Hz, and even 144 Hz.
The only real downside to this VR headset is that it’s pretty complicated and time-consuming to set up. To use it, you need to set up lighthouse boxes that track the room for you amongst other things. But if you’re happy to watch a tutorial and go invest some time learning how to make proper use of this VR headset - it’s a fantastic choice.
HTC Vive Pro 2
The HTC Vive Pro 2 really is one of the most impressive VR devices we’ve come across. The HTC Vive Pro 2 is definitely on the higher end when it comes to price but with all of its fantastic features - it’s definitely worth it.
To start - gamers can explore VR content with phenomenal clarity and bring out all of the in-game graphical details thanks to the 4896 x 2448 combined resolution. Aside from that, the 120-degree FOV of the HTC Vive Pro 2 also expands your vision experience and better aligns with how the human eye operates.
The HTC Vive Pro 2 also has a dual RGB low persistence LCD display with a 120 Hz refresh rate, which makes for a super smooth VR gameplay experience.
With VR headsets, it’s pretty normal to start experiencing eye fatigue after a certain amount of time. This doesn’t quite apply to the HTC Vive Pro 2 because of the interpupillary distance adjustability settings, which allow you to find the perfect sweet spot for your eyes so you can wear and preview the game you’re playing with optimal comfort. As a whole, we’re a huge fan of the HTC Vive Pro 2, and if it’s within your budget, you should definitely take it into serious consideration.
HP Reverb G2
The HP Reverb G2 doesn’t exactly have the display of the HTC Vive Pro, but it can definitely compete in many different ways. The HP Reverb is one of the best VR headsets for graphic-intensive games, but we found that this headset worked the best when used for modern racing simulations thanks to its 2160 x 2160 LCD panels with full RGB stripe.
Another cool feature of the HP Reverb G2 is the audio. Most of the time, VR manufacturers focus mostly on the video qualities of the game. However, you can never fully immerse yourself in a game unless you have high-quality audio to come with it, so it’s a nice touch that HP focused on really improving on the audio aspects of this VR headset.
The HP Reverb G2 is also very easy to set up in accordance with your room - so you won’t have to waste a bunch of time and can just straight into action.
The one downside we found of the Reverb G2, however, is the controllers. We found that the controllers weren’t as good as some of the other mainstream and high-quality alternatives, but they are definitely more than good enough to do the job.
HTC Vive Cosmos
While most people say the HTC Vive Cosmos Elite is the better option of the two, we chose to stick to the original version. This is because the HTC Vive Cosmos is arguably unmatched at its price point and can give you one of the best VR gameplay experiences possible.
On top of that, if you aren’t satisfied with the simple HTC Vive Cosmos model, you can easily upgrade it to the HTC Vive Cosmos Elite by changing out the front plate. And even without the upgrade, the headset features solid tracking abilities, six external sensors, and 2880x1700 combined pixel resolution, which all work together towards providing you with a great VR experience.
With that said, the controllers of this model are pretty bulky, which isn’t necessarily the end of the world. However, when compared to the controllers of other models we listed today, the HTC Vive Cosmos definitely lags behind.
Google Cardboard
The Google Cardboard is definitely one of the more unique picks on our list as it’s only made for smartphone gamers who want to experience the world of VR. To use, all you have to do is set up your phone and slide it into the slot.
With that said, it doesn’t have a strap, which makes this more of a VR viewer than a dedicated headset.
But if you're looking to try out one of your first VR headsets without breaking the bank - this is a great option. It’s very cheap, does the job pretty well, and it’s arguably just as good as any other of the premium smartphone VR sets available on the market.
Conclusion
Virtual reality headsets are definitely a newer concept to the world of gaming but with advancement in technology, they are slowly becoming more and more popular amongst gamers. Thanks to the wide variety of VR headsets available, pretty much any gamer with or without a gaming device can immerse themselves in brand new virtual reality experiences.
Above, we showed you not only what to look for in a VR headset but also a list of the best products currently available to you. So, which one is the right pick for you?
First, you need to determine your exact needs and budget. After that, you need to find a headset that not only matches your needs, budget but is also compatible with your gaming device. Fortunately, we’ve already done all the research for you so you can’t go wrong with any of our recommendations above.
